After the draft, teams have made serious moves to further upgrade their rosters.
*After picking Joe DeVance at number 1 pick, Welcoat sent 2nd year pro Junjun Cabatu to Alaska for veteran forward Nic Belasco. Involved in the trade was rookie Yousif Aljamal who was sent to Talk N' Text.
*Red Bull acquired center/forward Mark Andaya from Air21 for nothing.
*Purefoods signed rookie guard Chico Lanete for P5M for two years.
My picks for this season (in order): San Miguel Beer,
Ginebra,
Talk N' Text,
Alaska, and
Air21
The PBA's 2007-08 season could turn out to be a big and very exciting one.
Some things to look out for:
1.)
San Miguel Beer -- The return of Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros and coach Chot Reyes and the acquisition of 6'9 Samigue Eman and FEU stalwart Jonas Villanueva.
2.)
Ni単o Canaleta and JC Intal -- Two of the amateur's premier high flyers in one team. Air21 will be in the highlight reel too often.
3.)
Talk N' Text -- Mark Cardona and Jay Washington will now have Asi Taulava, Renren Ritualo and Jimmy Alapag back.
4.)
Alaska big men -- Willie Miller and Mike Cortez has been Alaska's lifeline lately. Rookies Ken Bono and JR Qui単ahan adds more height and size inside along with usual reliable big men.
5.)
Sta. Lucia's 2nd chance -- After giving up Alex Cabagnot last season, Sta. Lucia got another PG in Ryan Reyes in this year's draft. A lot of eyes on Reyes and Kelly Williams this season.
6.)
Ateneo reunion -- SMB has become Ateneo's home in the PBA. Intal? Membrere? Bugia? Alvarez? Kramer? Escalona? Who's next to be sent to SMB?
7.)
Ginebra -- It's a lot tougher for Ginebra now now that a lot of teams have gone stronger, notably sister team San Miguel. Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand has a lot of homework to do.
8.)
Joe DeVance -- A lot of hype and expectations surrounded DeVance's entrance in the PBA. Welcoat will build around him
9.)
Kerby Raymundo and Jimmy Alapag -- Both players became RP's face for a while and endeared Filipinos during their performance in the FIBA qualifiers. Can they bring their A-game back to the PBA?
10.)
New commissioner -- The list seems endless.